Concordant Studies

Four Vital Questions

In studying any
passage of Scripture, we must always ask ourselves:

What does it say?

Whom does it concern?

When does it apply? and

In what sense is it true?

Unless we have no
opinion at all concerning a certain
subject, it will be impossible for us not to make some type of judgment
concerning it with respect to these questions, even if we do not
consciously rehearse these points or even know they exist. Therefore, it
is by far the wiser course to keep these questions ever before us as we
seek further light, and, as God grants it to us.

As we seek to be "bearing
with one another in love" (Eph.4:2), in our struggles along
the way in this pathway of faith, may we realize that a man cannot hunger
and thirst for that for which he has no taste. While our faithfulness is
by the grace of God, nonetheless, it is through our own
efforts, according to our strongest desires. One who is wise, therefore,
will realize that "a man cannot get anything if it should not be given him
out of heaven" (John 3:27).

"Now may our Lord Jesus
Christ Himself, and God, our Father, Who loves us, and is giving us an
eonian consolation and a good expectation in grace, be consoling your
hearts and establish you in every good work and word" (2 Thess.2:16,17).